Reserved and Privileged

Andrew was looking at the minute’s hand, with swollen eyes. He felt better when he looked at the second’s hand. He wanted the period to get over, as soon as possible. The subject of “History-Civics” was never his domain. But he liked Mrs Eve, the subject teacher, the only reason why he was able to sit in her class for the last half a year of his academic session. Last time he checked his clock, it was 5 minutes due for the last bell of the day.

“.......So children the summary of today’s class is that our country “Aidni” was long tortured and famished under the rule of “Nodnol”, which was a superpower of that time. But finally we got our liberation, due to the heroics of our ancestors. Class is dismissed. The next day you all have to bring your homework, you need to write a note on whichever article you like from our National Laws.” The bell rang, and the school as well as the misery of Andrew ended.

Way back at home, Andrew slept for quite a long time in the afternoon, and in the evening sat down in his study room. He opened the book titled "National Laws of Aidni". 

"Who gives a 20 kg book to a 15 year old kid?"

"Stop overacting. Start studying. It's only a reference book." retorted his dad, who heard him cursing in the next room.

Jeez. Dad has got sharp ears.

"So where do I start with?"

He opened a random page and started studying. After overlooking around 4-5 laws, he stumbled upon something written- Article 46. He decided to do his homework on this. He gave a reading. A thorough reading this time. He couldn't understand most part of it. He mugged up and wrote down.

4 years later, it was the time for high school admission. He had got reasonable marks, which barely crossed the cut-off bridge. He had to manage with a not-so-good institute. No doubt he was belonging to a wealthy family, but his dad had taught him to achieve everything by his hard work alone. 

He was happy though with his condition, but not for long.

Later he found out that, this was much more complicated than it seemed. He found that a majority of the seats (50.5%) in his own college and in other premier institutes were "taken over" by mostly "not-so-deserving" candidates. He was stunned, and probably lost his ground when he discovered more about it. He found that, the word "reservation" has a meaning, different from the one in dictionary. All of a sudden, down the memory lane, a chord struck inside him. He could now understand the homework he did 4 years back, quite comprehensively. He was in languish.

Just because the other group of students belonged to a different caste, they enjoy special treatment. This didn't go well with him. He could clearly see injustice as the most of such students he came across, belonged to far more influential families and in no way need such kind of reservations. Infact the ones who truly need reservation can’t avail it, because they donot come under that caste, although they might be not even have a roof above their head.

I will change the system. I won't let my kids face what I faced.

Though he was immature at that stage of life, yet his dedication was that of an earnest man.

Years passed. He completed his master's in political science and was pursuing his doctorate. The eager to "change the system" had already agitated a rebellion in him. He decided to stand in forthcoming elections for the Mayor-in-Chief of his zone. He released his propaganda. This was important, since the system of election was Presidential type. Some liked, many rebelled.

What is the place for an earnest ideology in this traitorous world?

He had gone to buy some things from the supermarket, where he overheard a conversation.

"This new chap, a green horn, thinks he can change all these things, which has been going on for last 60 years.", a man in mid 50s remarked.

"He should. Someone needed to stand, and he did. My daughter got a good rank in a test conducted by a college. But due to limited seats for her “category” she couldn't make it. Yet some of her friends scoring less did. Reason- reservation.” exclaimed another man.

"The laws instead of uplifting the real needy ones are being exploited more by the people who are already in influential positions. The country is losing its talented youths because of this."

 All this conversation was enough to oil the already blazing fire in him.

Once he was making a public speech in front of a handful of supporters, ".....Things get old with time, and they need to be changed, or upgraded. Same is the case with the laws. They need to change with the passing time, and adapt to the current state of civilization. Everyone knows that accepting a completely new thing needs time and can cause inconvenience, but we need to focus on its benefits..." Hardly had he finished the last word that the leaders of the opposition stomped in. 

"Spreading your false propaganda, eh? Look at your supporters. Their number is as less as your intelligence. You will never win."

In a rage, Andrew replied, "I know why you don't want my plans to succeed. You poor creature are afraid. You will lose your vote banks, won't you? See above greed, you will find justice and humanity. Stop thinking about yourself for a minute, the world will seem less polluted by greed."

People all around, whether supporters or not, started clapping. Erik, the opposing leader, face turned red, hiding the fuming anger. 

"You don't know who you are messing with."

The sound of applause made his last words inaudible to Andrew.

Polling was just a week after. His supporters had started to increase. But, one fine afternoon, the Federal Crime Branch officers barged into his house. Andrew knew it was all planned by Erik. On account of money laundering and bribing federal officers, he was sentenced to imprisonment for 7 years, which was non-bailable. Destiny has its own plan.

He accepted his fate. While he was in jail, he lost both his dad and mom in successive years, who left this world, leaving behind a multitude of fortune and loneliness for their only son. 

When Andrew came out after 7 long years. He was a changed man, with more maturity. He saw changes everywhere in all part of world. One thing which was constant was the law, against which he fought.  

He smiled as he realized human's greed and "turning a blind eye to injustice" attitude also remained same.

His wish to see a different system was still afresh. For this, he was now ready to utilize whatever resource he had.

The world's strongest person is the person who has nothing to lose. Andrew had nothing to lose.

He decided to open a parallel institution. An institution where the system of reservation didn't exist, where everyone had equal opportunity. The institution took 2 and a half years to complete. The number of students were less in number initially. But gradually more number of courses were included and the number of students increased in leaps and bounds. It became popular all around Aidni. People from different backgrounds came there including those students who enjoyed reservation. Aidni's youth gradually understood what is right and what is wrong. Andrew was 65 years old now and still was the Dean of the Institution. There were multiple branches now opening all around Aidni. The nation was moving towards a new revolution. A revolution to broaden the horizon.

5 years later, 70 year old chivalric gentleman in whites, stood in the Federal House, preparing himself to address the intellectuals and the federal officers of top ranks.

"Cool down, you can do it. It is the day you have been waiting for." He cooled his breath. It is the day, history will be written.

He climbed the podium, held the mic in his hand, greeted all dignitaries, and spoke the words he had been waiting for a long time to speak.

".....Today is the day when we truly utilize the power of vision given to us by god. From today on we look beyond the walls of caste and creed. These walls were created by us and shall be broken by us. So let today be the time when we break free. Everyone is not born with same lines of fate on their temple, but we certainly are not born carrying our caste marks. Providing reservation or special amenities to group of people and depriving the real needy ones of it is certainly a sin. So let today, we sign a law, and make humanity equal. Let’s help the economically backward group of society, not castes of society. This way our educational system will flourish and so will the country...."

Then later that day, 70 years after the liberation of country, the Prime of Aidni, signed the law saying that, "For every institution, either under federal or private would reserve 40% of its seats for the candidates belonging to families having annual income less than 3 lakh, irrespective of their caste, creed, origin or religion." There were some other clauses too, but this was the part for which he devoted his life.

The day's session ended and Andrew was leaving for his house, when a journalist asked, "Sir, can you say what your feelings are at this conjecture?"

"It's mixed. Or in other words, regret along with bliss. Regret that, it took too long for the change, & bliss because I changed the system for every single son and daughter of Aidni. Thank you,"

With this, Mr. Andrew Garfield, the esteemed Dean of The People's College, signed off, leaving behind a history to be told as inspiration for generations to come.

* For all those person who find this content abusive in any manner, remember I speak the truth and truth always prevails.* If you are wondering about "Aidni", "Nodnol" try spelling them backwards.